Bailer



o.. A. cAvlNs AILER Filed NOV. 14 1930 4 sheetsnsheet. 1

july@ 1933- o.v A. cAvlNs 1,917,211

BAILER Filed Nov. 14, 1930 4 sheets-sheet 2 July 4, 1933.

o. A. cAvlNs 1'1,917,2l1

BAILER Filed Nov.7 14, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 1W zal zu 1 if@ /93 zzz im fzz gid/m5141596y @im a.

o. A. 'cAvlNs July 4, 1933.

BAILER Filed Nov. i4, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented July 4, 1933 PATENT OFFICE OMAR A. CAVINS, OF TAFT, CALIFORNIA BAILER This invention relates to bailers or cleanout tools such as used for bailing sand fr om deep Wells. lVhile features of the inyention may be employed in bai-1ers operatmg 1n shali' low wells, the invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with deep wells where pressure exists at the Well bottomdue to the tween the points (5w-6 of Figure 5 but in a head of liquid in the well. l The general object of this invention 1s to i provide a simple apparatus for effecting the automatic loading of the sand chamber of the bailer from an obstruction, such as sa'nd, in a well; also for effecting the discharge of the sand chamber after the withdrawal of the Y bailer from the mouth of the well.

A further object of the invention is to improve the general construction of bailers.

In' addition to these general objects prom vided for by all embodiments of this inven- M tion, eachconstruction provides''for objects diii'erent from or in addition to-the other embodiments. v

These'further objects of the inventionv will appear hereinafter. The invention consists in the novel parts and combinations of parts to be described ghereinafter, all of which contribute to produce an efcient bailer. c.) Apreferred embodiment of the invention vis described inI the following specification, while the broad scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings z,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section with certain parts broken away illustrating an embodiment of my invention.

Figure 2 isa section upon an enlarged scale showing some of the parts illustrated in Fig- 4'7 ure 1, and particularly illustrating the means for latchi-ng the valve in its open position together .with onevof.L the means which may be employed for reducing the preure in the r apparatus.

Figure 3 is a section showing `the samei;v

parts illustrated at the upper end of- Figure 2 but representing them in the latching posiv tion in whichthe-valve is held open. 53' 1 Figure 4' is a verticalsection upon an enlarged scale taken at the valve, which is located at the upper end of the .sand chamber of the assembled bailer.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of a con'iplete bailer outfit (with certain parts broken away) illustrating another embodiment oi my invention.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section taken beplane parallel with the plane in which Figure 5 is taken. This shows the details of .the self-contained balanced flow controlvalve assembly.

Figure 7 is a vertical section taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 5 and particularly illustrating a relief valve, which may be employed for relieving the pressure oi the re. tained gas; this gas is utilized in'ejeeting the load from the sand chamber, and this view illustrates a small tube below the relief valve to provide for the retention of gas in the upper part of the suction chamber for Ese in ejecting the load from the sand cham- Figure 8 is a cross section taken on theline 8-8 of Figure 6 through the casing of the bailer, the other-parts being removed.

Figure 9 is a longitudinal section of another construction of the self contained balanced ow'control valve assembly to be psed in a bailer, and embodying my inven- Figure 10 is a cross section taken on the line 10--10 of Figure 9 through the casing of the bailer, the other parts being removed.

Figure 11 is side elevation of a complete bailer embodying my invention and having' special features of construction adapting it to be used in a crooked hole, certain parts being broken away.

Figure 12 is a vertical section through this bailer taken on the axis of Figure 11 between the lines 12'-12. This View is upon an enlarged scale. v

Figure 13 is a side elevation partially broken away and illustrating the; anchor-ages .for the tie which IQ-prefer to lemploy inthis ty of'bailer. y

ieefore proceeding to adetailed description ofthe invention it should be understood that according to my method I drop the bailer Application led November 14, 1930. Serial No. 495,699. t il ma .bailer.

res- `sure, to the sand chamber, thereby enabling the higher pressure'in the well to ed'ect the automatic loading of the sand chamber due to the equalizationof the Well pressure with the suction chamber pressure. Furthermore, ll prefer to retain' all or a part of the entrapped gas or air pressure and utilize it at the mouth of the well for discharging the bailer;

The apparatus for eiecting this mode of operation may take various forms. ln the present speciication ll have described two embodiments of the invention, in one of ,which ll employ a valve at the upper end of the sand chamber which is opened automatically by the arrest o??y the downward movement of the bailer striking the bottom of the well. ln one type, l provide automatic means for latching this valve in its open position. 'lhe sudden opening of this passage into the upper or suction chamber causes the well pressure to quickly charge the bailing chamber or sand chamber of the ln all the embodiments of this invention, the movement of the valve toward its open position is slightly delayed when the bailer shoe strikes the well bottom. This' permits time for the shoe 4to bite into the well bottom.

Through the action of a flap valve at the bottom inlet of the bailer the charge is retained under pressure. ll also use the pressure chamber for retaining the compressed gas which becomes trapped in the upper end of the pressure or suction chamber. llt desired, this may be retained at a somewhat .reduced pressure. After the loaded bailer is withdrawn from the mouth of the well l open the bottom end of the bailer, preferably. by opening its side, whereupon the pressure in the pressure chamber e'ects the quick discharge of the bailers load.

ln another embodiment of the invention described in this specification l mount the Vsuction chamber so that it is capable of a limited downward movement relative to the sand chamber when it strikes an obstruction, and l. utilize this downward movement or relative upward movement of the sand chamber with ,respect to the casing, to eilect the opening ,of the valve above the sand chamber, thereby permitting the equalization of the well pressure into the pressure chamber and eliecting the loading of the bailer.

ln situations where the bailer must opcrate in a crooked hole ll provide a special construction in which the bailer is composed of sections connected together by dexible joints. Referring particularly to Figures l and i which illustrate one ofthe embodiments oi my invention, l indicates generally, the cas-A ing ci the apparatus, said casing having a 4which retainingl means for the charge is provided preferably in the form of an inclined dap valve l o common type.. 'llhis shoe 3 carries a sleeve 5 which is threaded and rotatable on a union 6 for a purpose which will appear hereinafter.

At the upper end of the sand lchamber ll provide a valve means preferably including a ball valve 7 received on a valve seat in the form ot a bushing 8 having a valve passage .9 through it. Above this point within the casing l an air chamber or'pressure chamber l() is provided, near the upperend of which is locatedY a lined spring seat and guide ll through which a valve stem l2 passes upwardly from the ball 'l which is carried on the lower end of the stem. rllhe upper end of this valve stem 12 extends upwardly in the casing and carries an extension or polished rod with ahead 13 (see Figure 2). 'lhe upper face of this polished rod head lies adjacent to the lower end of a latching block la. Within the casing at this point a bushing l5 is lprovided having a longitudinal slot l6 at one side in which travels a hned stop 17 that limits the upward movement of the block in the bushing. rllhe upper portion of the block is provided with a sliding latch bolt 18 that has a rounded nose 19 at one side to cooperate with t e cam face 20 on theadjacent side of the b Shing. When the bailer lands at the bottom oi the well the momentum of this block la, augmented by the momentum of other downwardly'moving parts, causes it to move the valve stem l2 ldownwardly, thereby edecting the opening of the valve against the action` of its coil spring 21 that seats on the'xed guide ll (see Figure l). When the valve Z under downward thrust of valve stem l2 opens, the well pressure in the sand chamber causes a rush of liquid and compressed gas into the pressure chamber l() thus.l loading the sand chamber with the material upon which the shoe of bailer has struck.

'lhe cam face 2O operates to slide the bolt i8 toward the right, as viewed in Figures 2 and 3, causing its right end to lat/ch under the face or shoulder 22 of the bushing, thereby latching the block as indicated in Figure 3. When it is desired to restore the block to its normal position, this can be e'ected by inserting a pin through the opening 23 in the casing wall; this opening is in alignment with the latch bolt 18 when in its latched lll@ izo

provide a guide connection 24 which forms a part 0f the casing, the upper end of which is formed into a stutling box 25 with packing which may be compressed by a gland 26. This packs off the polished rod at this point. This guide 24 may be provided with one or more relief valves Q7 held on their seats by a spring or springs 28, and screws 29; the force of these springs can be adjusted by obvious means.

In `order to facilitate the drainage and cleaning of objectionable sand from this part of the interior of the casing, I may provide the casing wall whe-rever necessary, with wash holes or perforations 30 (see Figure Q).

Referring again to the shoe 3 at the bottom of the bailer and also to the sleeve 5 that carries this shoe, I shall now describe. the preferred'means for opening the lower end of the .'Jailer to effect this discharge at the mouth of the Well. For this purpose the sleeve 5 is made readily rotatable in its threaded conneetion 31 with the union'6. The linien 6 has a sleeve 32 that projects down from the .same andis provided on one side with an opening or port 33. The sleeve 5 has a similar port 34 that may align with the port 33. In Figure 1 these ports are shown out of alignment with each other which is the rela- ':ion that they have when the bailer igoes down into the well. When the loaded bailer reaches the mouth of the Well it can be readily discharged by rotating the sleeve 5 to bring the opening 34 into alignment with the opening 33. Any suitable means may be provided for this purpose. If desired, the bore of the shoe 3 may be provided with diametrically opposite slots 35 to receive the ends of a diametrical bar 36 projecting up from a Hoor plate 37 'hat may be secured to the floor of the derrick. The bailer maybe lowered down onto this plate and then rotated by hand so as to bring the ports 33 a-nd 34 `into alignment as suggested. When this is done the compressedv iir or gas in pressure chamber 10 and load chamber 2 will quickly eifect the discharge of the bailer.` In this operation the inclination of the flap valve 4 cooperates. It is preferably located so that the discharge port 33 is adjacent its lower side.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6 which with' Figures 7 and 8 depict one construction of the second embodiment of the bailer in this \type, the Working parts of the bailer, for ease ".:f transportation and simplicity of operation are concentrated into three relatively-4 small unis (a) baileresuspension consisting of combined bail and pop valve (b) self contained balanced flowcontrol valve assembly, and (c) bottom valve. With these three parts and suitable tubing the complete bailer is assembled.- The casing 38 of the bailer is constructed so as to guide the sand chamber 39 for vertical movement. For this purpose the lower end of the casingis provided with a tubular extension 40 with an enlarged collar 4l at its lower end. This collar acts as a stop for the corresponding shoulder 42 on the inner side of a sleeve 43, the lower end of which is attached to a coupling head 44 that carries the sand chamber attached below.

Between the coupling head and the collar 4l a coil spring 45 is provided that normally holds the ballvalve 48 on its seat 47. The

lupper end of this spring exerts its pressure against a packing ring 4G. 'lhe upper end of the extension 40 carries a valve scat- 4-7 with which cooperates a ball valve 48 having a stein 49 that extends upwardly and carries` a head 5() guided to slide in a bore having a liner 5l preferably of bronze and mounted in th(` casing 38. '.lhe piston head 5() is carried between the stem 4i) and a plunger 5l having a transverse `slot 52 through which an I In doing this the spring 54 mounted in the A upper end of the casing is compressed' and will return thevalve 48 to its seat when the bailer 'is lifted after loading. The result of opening valve 48, as described, will be that the pressure communicated through. the sand chamber from the well liquid to the under side o f the valve 48 will be suddenly relieved, thereby permitting the sand chamber to load itself as described in connection with the first type (Figure l). Above the valve seat 4.7 an upper valve chamber 56 is formed into which the released pressure passes from the lower flow duct 55 and the pressure from this chamber is relieved through longitudinal flow ducts 57 that pass up to the upper end of the casing and through thev end wall of the threaded bushing 58 which is provided for connecting on the upper, or pressure, chamber section of the bailer.

' The upper end of the liner 51* forms an annular passage 59 preferably of same area as flow area of the valve seat 47, whi'ch adof the head 50, v This is substantially equal to the pressure on the lower side of valve 48 mits the pressure in the well to the upper side i mechanism from time of loading to time of dumping the bailer. rllhe valve 418 acts as a pop valve when bailer is being withdrawn from the well, permitting most of the trapped pressure in the sand chamber to discharge into the pressure chamber, as pressure on the latter is reduced by its relief valve. r1`he crosshead 53 is mounted in a transverse slot formed diametrically t through the casing.

' For securing the extension 4:0 in the lower end of the casing, removable set screws 61 may be provided which are accessible through aligning openings 62 in the wall of the shell o'r sleeve 4:3.

With this type of bailer illustrated in Fig- ',ure 6 the valve is not held in its open position after loading in a well, but after the bailer is brought to the mouth of the well its discharge opening can be opened and bailer discharged by setting on the floor, thereby opening valve 48 and permitting the pressure retainedy in the pressure chamber to discharge the contents of the load chamber.

" -lf desired a relief valve 64 may be provided at the upper end of the enclosed space in the upper section 65 of the bailer, said upper section 65 being connected through a union 66 with a head 67 in which the valve @l compression of spring 97 when the valve is 64 is mounted. This head 67 may carry the bail 68 of the bailer to which the sand line` is attached and in this bail an adjustable set screw 69 may be provided for regulating the force of the valve spring 70 that holds the valve on its seat. When the valve opens the pressure is relieved through diametric'ally disposed ports 71 in this head 67.

rllhe tube 63, Figure 7, extends downwardvly into and for a considerable length of the g pressure chamber. rl`his forms a gas trap in the space'surrounding the tube so that gas under pressure is retained in the upper part of the pressure chamber to provide an expansive force to be used in discharging the load chamber of the bailer at the mouth of.

the well.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10 which show another construction of the self contained balanced flow control valve assembly of one embodiment of the bailer, the bailer telescopes to some extent in this construction, the casing 105 moving downward relative to the sleeve 121 when the bailer stops on an obstruction in the well. The tubular extension 111 with the enlarged collar 1111 at its lower end is engaged under the shoulder 113 of the sleeve 4121. With the telescoping of this. sectionthe upper surface of shoulder 113 pushes the packing ring 112 into contact with the lower end of the casing 105, and

the push rod 109 lifts the ball valve 108 from its seat, compressing spring 97 ;l as illustrated, this push rod is attached to the ball. rlhe thickness of the washer 123 governs the atraen spring 115 is held in compression by the coupling head 119 which carries the sand chamber below, the washer 122 which is vinterchangeable with thicker or thinner ones to regulate the amount of compression of spring 115. rlhe lock washer 118 guards against loss of the coupling head and sand chamber in the well. rlFhe lower end of the How duct in the tubular extension 111 is shaped to engage a special wrench so that the tubular extension 111 can be easily screwed into the lower end of the casing 105. The machine screws 110 guard against unscrewing. The flow area from the sand chamber to the suction chamber is regulated by'plugging one or more of the casing flow ducts 104'with a suitable plug 120 or plugs which can be retained in place by threading into the flow ducts or by the threaded tubing which, c

entering the box 96, will hold the plug 120 in place. This enables the charging of thev bailer to be regulated.

lll/'hen it is desired to use my bailer in a `crooked hole, the bailer is preferably formed of sections 73, 7a and 75 (see Figure 11). These sections are connected together by a flexible joint preferably having the characteristics of construction illustrated in Figure 12, that is to say, each relatively upper iexible joints should break, 1 prefer to pro- L vide a tie wire 80 thatextends up from the lower section 73 and passes through. the bores of the necks 78 of the flexible joints. other words, the lower end of this tie wire is anchored to a cross pin 81 on the bottom section 73 and the upper end is anchored to a similar cross pin 82 in the uppermosty section 75. By reason of this tie wire 80 it will be evident that if eithersof the joints fails, the tie wire will maintain a connection to the sand chamber and avoid the necessity for a fishing operation.

Ilhe load chamber 85 (see Figure 11) is formed of flexible armour hose. The upper end of this hose is rigidly secured to the'lovver end of the section 84 and the lower end I 'igidly secured to the upper end of the bailer sho-e. It' desired, the load chamber maybe safe-guarded against loss by employing a tie wire 80, the ends of which are connected to cross pins 82, already described in connection with the upper end of the bailer. The details of this construction are illustrated in Figure 13.

'lhe upper end of the armour sleeve 85 maybe provided with an inserted sleeve 86 carrying the pin 82 and threaded pin 86a to attach to the lower end of the section 84. The lower pin 81 is anchored in the shoe section 88 of the hailing chamber (see Figure 13). ln a modification of this crooked hole type of bailer, a fieXible joint similar to that shown in Figure 12 joins the load chamber of conventional rigid design to the lower .section 84 of the bailer casing.

Referring again to Figure 1, it should be understood that in the operation of the bailer the momentum of the block 14 and the valve stem 12 may be suflieient to eifect the opening of the valve, but if it is desired to increase the force to open the valve, this may be accomplished by utilizing the momentum of the upper -end section 89 of the bailer (see Figure 1). This end section that carries the bail 90 for the hailing cable is mounted so that it is capable of sliding downwardly in the tubular shell of the casing 1 at this point.

In order to anchor this section 89, its lower end is provided with a stem 91 that slides freely downwardly through a fixed head 92 welded into the tubular casing. The lower end of this stem carries a hammer head 93. Vv'ith this arrangenlent it will be evident that when the bailer strikes the bottom of the well the. momentum of the upper section 89 of the bailer causes it to continue its 'downward motion, thereby causing the stem 91 to slide through the guide head 92, and cause the hammer head 93 to strike the upper end of the block 14.

This will give a blow to the block 14 which then operates as an anvil, having its own `momentum increased by the blow. rllhis will insure the opening of the valve 7. The block 14 may be provided with side grooves 94 to assist in equalizing the pressure in the chamber 95 below the bushing 15, and to prev-ent binding due to sand or other material carried by the'well fluid.

In connection with these descriptions it should be understood that by reference to gas that any well gas, air or a mixture of both isintended. By sand is meant sand, gravel, mud or other accumulation of more or less finely divided material accumulated in and obstructing or filling part of the Well bore. By well is meant a bore hole of any description'penetrating the earth.

The mode of operation of the two types of my bailer illustrated above will now be dereduction'of pressure in the sand chamber causes the higher well pressure to inject the sand into the bailer.

`The momentumof the block 14 effects the opening of the valve 7 through the agency of the stein l2 and the cam face 2O operates the latch bolt 18 to lock the block 14 in a de pressed position, thereby holding thevalve open. This permits the gas and liquid and possibly some of the sand to pass up into the pressure chamber 1() below the fixed head 11. The pressure in this chamber may be relieved through vthe relief valves 27. After the bailer arrives atthe mouth of the well the shoe 3 may be set over the plate 37 to enable the bar 36 to engage the slots 35, whereupon the rotation of the sand barrel will bring the opening 34 into alignment with the opening 33, and when this occurs, the pressure in the pressure chamber 10 and load chamber 2 will quickly discharge the load from the sand barrel.

In order to close the valve, before again lowering the bailer int-o the well, the Work man should then drive a pin through the opening 23 to release the latch bolt 18, whereupon the spring 21 will return the valve to its closed position.

In the type show'n in Figure 5, using the self contained balance flow valve assembly detailed in Figure 6, when the lower end of the sand barrel strikes the obstruction in the well the sand barrel is shifted upward relative to the pressure chamber, compressing spring 45, and causing the sleeve 43 at its upper end to strike the ends ofthe crosshead 53, thereby pulling up on plunger 51 and opening the valve 48 through the agency of its stem 49.

Before this occurs, however, the pressure in the well will have been communicated to the interior of the sand chamber and under the valve 48 so that when this valve is opened the relief of pressure through the valve opening 47 will cause the sand barrel to start to fill immediately through the action of the pressure in the Well. y

In the type exactly like that shown in Figure 5, but using the self contained balanced flow control valve assembly detailedin Figure 9, when the shoe of the bailer/'strikes the obstruction inthe well the sand barrel is shifted upward relative to the pressure chamber, compressing the spring 115 (Figure 9) and causing the push rod 109 to push the valve 108 off of its seat against the compression of spring 97, an-d thus permitting the gas and fluid under pressure in the sand chamber to enter the pressure chamber and so y drawing sand into the sand chamber of the bailer.

At the mouth of the well the sand barrel can be discharged by lowering the bailer shoe upon the derrick door and opening the oritice provided in the shoe of the bailer.

ln all the embodiments oi this invention, there is a delay in starting the opening movement of the valve. 'lhis is desirable because it insures that the valve will not be opened prematurely. -l'n the typ-e of bailer shown in ligure 1, there is lost motion or a delay due to the fact that some time elapses after the shoe of the bailer strikes the well bottom betore the head 93 strikes the block 14 to open the valve 7. ln the type shown in Figure the relative upward movement of the sleeve 43 does not lift the valve oit' its seat until the upper edge ot the'sleeve strikes the cross head 53, thereby causing delay. lin the type illustrated in Figure 9, the upper end et the coupling 119 must have a slight amount et travel before it strikes the collar 116 on the stem 109. This delays the opening of this valve.

Dierent conditions of tluid, fluid head, hardness of sand, straightness of hole and other conditions in the hole together with the method of operating the bailer determine to some extent the effectiveness of the bailer in operation.

ln the operation of the bailer illustrated in yFigure 6, when the shoe of the bailer strikes the bottom of the well, any :duid in the chamber that houses spring 4.5 will become compressed as the sleeve 43 with the shoe and sand chamber of the bailer move upwardly relative to the casing 38. The openings 63, oi course, permit the escape of this fluid, but restrict its escape. In this Way, the chamber of the spring 45 'cooperates with the spring 45 in preventing the opening of the valve 48 if the bailer strikes a slight obstruction in theI `well before it reaches the bottom of the well.

ln the type of bailer shown in Figure 9, it should be noted that when the bailer shoe strikes the bottom of the well, the spring 115 will be compressed and thc downward movement of sleeve 121 is arrested. lWhen this occurs, the upper end of the coupling 119 will not immediately engage the part 116 to stop the push rod 109 and open the valve 108. ln this way, a slight delay occurs in opening the valve. This is advantageous because it insures that the shoe of the bailer will have a goed bite in the sand before the valvel opens. llt also tends to prevent the valve from -b'eingopened prematurely in case an obstruction .is encountered in the well above'the bottom'. Y v

Although the chamber 10 is referred to in this specification as an air chamber, it should bel understood that after the bailer has been 'f operated, this chamber will contain gas from Len/,air

the well; the pressure of this gas in the air chamber will be slightly above atmospheric pressure and will be determined by the relief valves 27.

llt is understood that the embodiment oi the invention described herein is only one of the many embodiments this invention may take, and l do not wish to be limited in the practice oi' the invention, nor in the claims, to the particular embodiments set forth.

lllhat l claim is:

1. ln a bailer, the combination of a casing having a sand chamber, with a bottom inlet, and a closed substantially air tight chamber, a valve mounted between the chambers for limited up and down movement independent ot the sand chamber, automatic means for effecting a delayed movement of the valve toward its open position when the bailer lands on an obstruction in the Well, means for retaining the valve open while resting on the obstruction, and means on the bailer for enabling the valve to be released aft-er withdrawal from the mouth of the Well.

2. ln a bailer for deep Wells under pressure, the combination of a casing having a sand chamber with a bottom inlet, valvemeans mounted for limited up and down movement at the upper end of the sand chamber, resilient means opposing the Well pressure for exerting force on the valve-means to hold the valve closed against pressure of fluid in the sand chamber under the well.

pressure While the bailer is being lowered into the well, means for eecting a'. delay in the moving of the valve-means toward its open position after the bottom of the sand chamber has struck the well bottom to permit release of pressure from the sand chamber, and thereby effect the loading of the sand @hamber with sand from the well through the action of the pressure existing in the well.

3. ln a bailer tor deep wells under pressure, the combination of a casing having a sand chamber with a bottom inlet, a valve mounted for limited up and down movement above the sand chamber, said casing having a transverse slot, a cross-head extending through the slot, a spring normally exerting its force in a direction to oppose the well pressure and hold the said valve against its seat to prevent the Well pressure from opening the valve until the bailer strikes material to be hailed from the Well, and means relatively movable upwardly on the bailer for engaging the cross-head to eitect the opening of the valve to enable the pressure in the well'to load the sand chamber with the material.

4. lin a bailer for deep Wells under pressure, the combination of a casing having a sand chamber with a bottom inlet, a valve independent ef the bottom inlet with guiding means for the valve enabling the same to have limited up and down movement above ,tot

' thereafter to open the sand chamber at the.

the sand chamber, a spring exerting force on the valve for normally holding the valve closed, said valve operating to hold back the well pressure until the bailer strikes thematerial in the well, means for eifeeting the opening of the valve to release the liquid below the valve and enable the pressure in the well to effect the loading of the sand chamber from the well, and automatic means for latching the valve in its open position.

5. In a bailer for bailing deep wells under pressure, the combination of a casing having a sand chamber with a bottom inlet, and having an air chamber above the sand chamber, a spring pressed valve between the sand. chamber and the air chamber maintained normally in a closed position by its spring and while the bailer is being lowered into the well, said valve constructed to maintain itself closed against the liquid under the well pressure in the sand chamber until the bailer strikes material in the well, means for opening the valve thereafter to permit the flow' of liquid under the well pressure from the sand chamberA into the air chamber, means operating thereafter for positively maintaining said valve in its open position to enable the same to be released manually thereafter lfor returningr the valve to its closed position.

6. In a lbailer for hailing deep wells, the combmation of a casing having a sand chamber with a bottom inlet and an air chamber' above the same, a valve between the sand chamber and the pressure chamber, la coil spring for the valve, automatic 'means for opening the valve after the bailer strikes the well bottom and thereby causing an equalization` of pressures in the sand chamber and the pressure chamber and thereby reducing the pressure in the sand chamber to cause the injection of .the bailed material into the sand chamber from the well, means to retain said material in the sand chamber, means for maintaining the valve in its open posit-ion, and manually operated means operating mouth of the well to cause the ejection under pressure of the bailer material.

7. In a sand bailer, the combination of a bailer suspension, a tube section with a selfcontained flow control valve carried thereon and operating to form an air chamber, above the valve, means above the. valve capable of regulation to control the area of flow upwardly to the air chamber, a tube section attached to the lower end of the first-named tube section to t'orm a sand chamber, anda bottom bailer valve carried on the lower end ot the last-named tube setion.

8. In a bailer, the combination ot a casing with telescoping parts` said casing having an air chamber toward its upper end and having a sand chamber at its lower end with a bottom inlet. a valve seat located between the sand chamber and the air chamber, avalve mounted above the seat so as to close by a downward movement ont-o the seat, a coil spring associated with the valve opposing the well pressure and maintaining the valve normally in a closed position, means foi-engaging the valve tomove the valve off its seat to an.

Athe valve, said casing having a plurality of ducts for fluid flow located between the sandchamber and the pressure chamber, and means for closing off one or more of the duits to restrict or increase the area of flow for the fluid passing to the pressure chamber.

10. In a bailer, the combination of a casing with telescoping parts, said casing having an air chamber toward its upper end and having asand chamber at its lower end with a bottom inlet, a valve seat located between the sand chamber and the air chamber, a valve mounted above the seat so as to close by a downward movement onto the seat, a coil spring associated with the valve opposing the Well pressure and maintaining the valve normally in aiclosed position, means for engag-` 1 ing the valve to move the valve off its seat to an open position actuated by the telescoping action of the bailer when the weight of the bailer is supported on its lower end, means for regulating the force of the said spring to enable the valve to remain closed against different well pressures, and a spring associated with the telescoping bailer parts and exerting its force in the direction to hold 'the telescoping sections in their ext-ended relation.

11. In a bailer for deep wells, the combination of a. casing having a sand chamber with a bottom inlet, a valve seat, a valve loi ated above the sand chamber, a coil spring opposing the well pressure and normally holding said valve pressed against its seat and operating to prevent the well pressure from opening the valve, means for guiding the sand chamber on thecasing to permit a relative upward movement of the same on the casing, means for normally holding the sand chamber in an extreme low position so that a relative upward movement of the sand chamber on the bailer takes place when the bailer strikes the material to be bailed in the well, means actuated through the said relative upward movement to move the valve oft' itsI seat, thereby releasing the pressure in the upper end of the sand chamber to effect the loading of the sand chamber through the said bottom Iinlet by the action ofthe pressure in the well.

12. In a bailer for deep wells, the combinachamber, a coil spring opposing the wel pressure and normally holding said valve closed and operating to prevent the well pressure from opening the valve, means for guiding the sand chamber for relative sliding `movement on the casing, a sleeve carried by the sand chamber to move upwardly therewith relatively to the casing, a crosshead mounted in the casing under the spring and engaged by the upper end ol the sleeve when the same moves relatively upwardly to open the valve and thereby release the lluid pressure at the upper end of the sand chamber to effect the loading of the sand chamber under the action ol the pressure existing in the well.

1 3. llna bailer for deep wells, the combination ol a casing having a sand chamber with a bottom inlet, avalve 'located above.

the sand chamber, a edil spring opposing the well pressure and normally holding said valve closed and operatingl to prevent the well pressure from opening the valve, means for 'guiding the sand chamberfor relative sliding movement on the casing, a sleeve carried by the sand chamber to move upwardly therewith relatively to the casing, a crosshead connected with the valve mounted on the casing and engaged by the upper end of the sleeve when thesame moves relatively upwardly on the casing to open the valve and thereby release the duid under pressure at the upper end ot the sand chamber tol e'ect theloading ofthe sand chamber under the action 'of the pressure existing in thewell, sa1d casing having a 'bore above the valve with a plunger connected with the valve and guided therein, and means for exposing the upper side or the plunger to the well pressure tobalance the pressure on v'the valve.

1 4. llna bailer for bailing deep wellsunder pressure, the combination of a casing -havinga sand chamber with a bottom inlet,

an air chamber and allow control valve between said chambers to permit or prevent the tlow of duid from one chamber to the other, said dow control valve comprising a valve and valve seat, said valve having a stem with apistomsaid casing having a bore :torhousmg the piston in the' casing, so that its end race lies within the casing and is exposedto the well pressure to balance the valve, a spring opposing the pressure at the well bottom for normallyholding the valve on its seat and preventing the valve from beingopened bythe well pressure, said casing havling passage meansin the same to pass duid from below up past the piston, to ermit 'the llow ol liquid lrom'the sand cham er to the air chamber when the valve is opened by the bailer striking the bottom of the well.

l5. lln a bailer for hailing deep wells under pressure, the combinationof a casing havnaman ing a sand chamber with a bottoinuA inlet, an air chamber with a flow control valve located between said chamber to permit or prevent the flow of fluid from one chamber to the other, said flow control valve com rising a valve and a valve seat, said valve aving 'a stemwith a piston, said casing having a bore torhousing the piston in the casing so that its end face lies within the casing and is exto permit the How of liquid from the sandJ chamber to the air chamber, means lor edecting the opening of the valve when the lower end of the bailer 4strilzes .the material to be hailed, and means for regulating the edective area of flow through the said passage means and thereby controlling the seed of dow oliv material from one of said c embers to the other,

16.. lin a bailer for hailing deep wells under pressure, the combination of a casing'-having a sand chamber with' a bottom inlet, an air chamber with a dow control valve located between said chambers to permit or prevent the flow of lluid from one chamber to the other, said flow control valve comprising a valve and a valve seat, said valve having a' stem with a piston, said casing having a bore for housing the piston in the casing so that its endl face lies within the casing and is exposed to the well pressure to balance the valve, a spring for the valve opposin the pressure at the well bottom normally ho ding the valve on its seat and preventing the well pressure from opening the valve, said casing having passage means in the same to pass luid from below upwardly past the piston to permit the dow of liquid from the sand chamber to the air chamber, means for edecting l the opening of the valve when the lower end of the bailer strikes the material to be hailed means for regulating the effective area oi flowthrough the sa1d kpassage 'means and thereby controlling the speed or How of material from one ofsaid chambers to the other,

a relief valve in the upper end of the air 'chamber for automatically reducing excess pressure in the air chaniber, and a tube extending downwardly from the relief valve through a portion ol the air chber, said tube serving to-trap' gas in the upper part of the`pressure chamber and operating to convey liquid from the'pressure chamber up through the said reliet valve.

17. ln abailer, the combination of means at the upper end of the bailer for suspending the same, said bailer having a casing including an upper tube section, a self-contained dow control valve mounted in the upper tube lower tube section, said'transverse wall of the upper tube section having a lurality of flow control ducts accessible at t e lower end of the upper tube section to enable one or more of the said ducts to be plugged at will to regulate the effective area of flow for liquid passing upwardly through said transverse wall from said sand chamber.

18. In a bailer for deep wells, the combination of a casing having a sand chamber below with a bottom inlet, and having a closed substantially air-tight air-chamber above the sand-chamber for holding air at atmospheric pressure, a valve seat, a'valve mounted between the chambers for limited up-and-down movement, said valve constructed and mounted so that it maintains itself pressed against its seat while the bailer is descending in the well, thereby cmaintaining atmospheric pressure in the air-chamber and preventing the well pressure from unseating the valve, means for eecting a de-4 layed movement of the valve away from its seat when the bailer arrives at the sand in the well to enable the liquid under pressure in the sand chamber below the valve to pass upwardly into the air-chamber, and ,effect the charging of the sand-chamber with sandl from thewell.

, 19. In a bailer for deep wells under pressure, the combination of a casing, a sleeve having a limited vertical movement relative to the casing and having means for connecting the same to the shoe of the bailer, a valve in the easing, means located under the valve and connected with the sleeve for engaging the valve to enable the upward movement of the sleeve relative to the casing to open the valve, there being a bore with a balancing piston above the valve, said balancing piston having its upper face located within the casing, means connecting the balancing piston with the valve, and means for admitting the well pressurel to the upper side of the piston,

20. In a bailer vfor deep wells under pressure, the combination of` a casing, a sleeve having a limited vertical movement relative to thecasing and having means for connecting the same to the shoe of the bailer, a valve in the casing, means located under the valve and at a distance from the valve and connected with the sleeve for engaging the valve to enable the upward movement of the sleeve relative to the casing to open the valve after the shoe has been given a portion of its relative upward movement, there being a bore with a balancing piston above the valve, the upper face of the said piston being located within the casing, means connecting the piston with the valve, and means for admitting the well pressure to the upper side of the piston. y

21. In a bailer for deep wells under pressure, the combination of a casing, a sleeve having a limited vertical movement relative to the casing and having means for connecting the same to the shoe of they bailer, a valve in the casing, means located under the valve and at a distance from the valve and connected with the sleeve for engaging the valve to enable the upward movement of the sleeve relative to the casing to open the valve after the shoe has been given a portion of its relative upward movement, there being a bore with a balancing piston above the valve, the upper face of the said piston being located within the casing, means connecting the piston with the valve, means for admitting the vwell pressure to the upper side of the piston, and a spring forresisting the upward movement of the sleeve and the shoe.

22.' In apparatus of the kind described for use vin a deep well, the combination of a cas-4 ing having means for securing the same to a tool string, a valve guided to slide within the casing, a balancingpiston associated with the valve, said casing having a bore in which the piston is guided, means for closing the bore above the piston, a spring for normally holding the valve closed, said casing having means for admitting the well pressure to the said bore above the piston for counter-balancing the said valve, and a relatively movable bailer shoe with means for opening the valve.

23. In apparatus of the kind described for use in a deep well, the combination of a casing having means for securing the same to a tool string, a valve guided to slide within the casing, a balancing piston attached to the valve, said casing having a bore in which the piston is guided, means for closing the bore above the piston, a spring for normally holding the valve closed, said casing having a transverse slot through its wall communicating with the said bore for admitting the well pressure to the'end of the balancing piston,

for effecting a delayed movement of the valve towards its open position when the bailer lands on an obstruction in the Well.

25. In a bailer, the combination of a casing lao lti'

.ou i

end of the sand chamber, means moved by said shoe for engaging the valve to open the same, and a spring associated with the shoe for resisting relative upward movement of the shoe when the same strikes an obstruction in the well.

. Signed at Los Angeles, Calif., this 30th day of August, 1930.

@Man AL. oavius. 

